Ohio Borrower Outreach Days

Out of the Foreclosure Prevention Task Force’s 27 recommendations, the number one recommendation was for a public awareness campaign and borrower outreach events to encourage homeowners to contact their mortgage servicer if they are having trouble making their mortgage payment or are facing a reset of an adjustable rate mortgage.

Ohio Borrower Outreach Days are events which give homeowners the opportunity to meet one-on-one with their mortgage servicer to discuss the possibility of a “work out resolution” or to modify the terms of the loan, talk with resource providers such as a housing counselor or legal aid representative, and attend workshops on foreclosure prevention topics. Through these events, thousands of Ohioans have received valuable assistance.

The goal is to help as many Ohioans as possible to stay in their homes.

Borrower Outreach Day attendees also have the opportunity to participate in several workshops throughout the day, such as:

• Rebuilding Your Credit
• Keys to Home Preservation
• Steps in the Foreclosure Process
• Borrower Beware: Foreclosure Rescue Scams
• Options for People Struggling with Their Mortgage Payments
• The Option of Mediation

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sponsored a Homeownership Preservation Clinic in Cleveland on August 30, 2007 with the State of Ohio’s support.

The Department of Commerce, in partnership with the Treasurer’s Office and the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA), has sponsored 11 Borrower Outreach Days.

Borrower Outreach Days have been held at:

• Nelsonville (Sept. 13, 2007)
• Columbus (Sept. 18, 2007)
• Toledo (Sept. 25, 2007)
• Cincinnati (Nov. 19, 2007)
• Akron (March 6, 2008)
• Youngstown (March 7, 2008)
• Elyria (Aug. 11, 2008
• Youngstown (return visit on Aug. 12, 2008 due to due storm resulting in March 2008 cancellation)
• Canton (Aug. 13, 2008)
• Butler County (Aug. 19, 2008)
• Dayton (Aug. 20, 2008)

With HUD’s event in Cleveland, nearly 2,500 homeowners have attended these events.